A positive pregnancy test is often just the beginning of getting the information you need. You may have questions about your pregnancy and what comes next. Depending on your situation, your next step may include a limited obstetrical ultrasound to learn more about your pregnancy. Understanding what this ultrasound can tell you can help you feel more informed as you consider your next steps.
Choices Pregnancy Center offers free, limited obstetric ultrasounds at both of its locations in Redwood Falls, MN, and Marshall, MN. We have a kind and professionally trained nurse at each center who will perform your scan in our pleasant exam room. You will be able to see your ultrasound in real time on an overhead screen. If you wish, you may have photographs of still images from your scan to keep.
Your ultrasound appointment will include plenty of time with the nurse, talking through what the scan reveals about the medical status of your pregnancy, as well as addressing your questions and concerns.
Defining “Limited Obstetric Ultrasound”
Ultrasound scans—the use of silent and painless sound waves to construct a picture of internal organs—are used in pregnancy to “see” the uterus and the developing fetus. “Limited obstetric ultrasound” is used in early pregnancy to clarify three pregnancy health indicators: location, viability, and gestational age. (See “Understanding What Ultrasound Reveals", below, for more about the importance of this information.)
This kind of ultrasound does not diagnose birth defects or other signs of abnormal pregnancy, which would be evident later in pregnancy.
Eligibility Requirements for a Free Ultrasound at Choices
Your eligibility for a free limited obstetric ultrasound at Choices Pregnancy Center depends on only two factors:
- You have had a positive pregnancy test result in our center Our lab-grade pregnancy tests give earlier and more accurate results than at-home pregnancy test kits.
- At least six weeks have passed since your last menstrual period. This is the point in early pregnancy when an ultrasound can provide accurate information.
There are no financial eligibility standards. We offer our ultrasound services to you free of charge, like all of our services. You do not need to have insurance or meet any income level limits.
If six week have gone by since your last menstrual period, make an appointment for a free pregnancy test to put yourself on track for a free ultrasound during the same office visit.
Understanding what Ultrasound Shows You
Three important indicators of pregnancy health are revealed by a limited obstetric ultrasound:
Location. Normal pregnancy begins within the walls of your uterus. Occasionally, however, a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus, causing an “ectopic” pregnancy which would be dangerous. Confirming the location of your pregnancy is a crucial part of protecting your health.
Viability. A viable pregnancy is one that is progressing normally. One of the key indicators of viability is the fetal heartbeat. Because as many as 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, knowing whether yours is likely to continue in a healthy manner is important for informing your next decisions.
Gestational Age. Measurements taken during an ultrasound can provide a solid indication of how far along your pregnancy is. Fetuses grow in size rapidly in the first months, making ultrasound measurements more accurate indicators of gestational age than estimating a due date based on the date of your last menstrual period.
Making Better Pregnancy Decisions with Ultrasound
At Choices Pregnancy Center, we believe women deserve complete information about their pregnancies so they can make the best decisions possible. When you receive a pregnancy test and ultrasound in our center, our nurse will spend time with you discussing your results. She can answer any questions you may have about what the location, viability, and gestational age of your pregnancy mean for you and your health.
Our nurses are also happy to answer any additional questions or concerns you may have about what to do next. You can count on receiving complete and unbiased information about the options open to you at your stage of pregnancy, as well as the types of support available to you in your community.
We understand your situation is as unique as you are. That’s why our staff will listen carefully and offer the supportive help you need. It is not our job to make your decisions for you, only to help you gather the information that will help you make your decisions with confidence.
Making an Appointment is Easy
Simply text or call us at 507-637-2534 and our friendly staff will help you schedule an appointment at the center closest to you, whether that’s in Marshall, MN, or Redwood Falls, MN. We look forward to helping you gain clarity on your pregnancy through free, limited obstetric ultrasound.